# Comparative omics analyses of cellular invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites

> **NIH NIH P20** · MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $209,242

## Abstract

Project Summary
The long-term goal of this line of research is to identify novel vaccine targets for malaria through improved
understanding of cellular invasion by the parasite that causes this disease, Plasmodium. This research will also
focus on the infectious stage of the parasite, the sporozoite, which has a complicated journey though both the
mosquito and human body. Our overall objective in this project is to identify the precise mechanisms of
interaction between Plasmodium and two contrasting host tissues, those of the mosquito salivary glands and
the human liver. The determination of novel factors involved in cellular invasion by Plasmodium will allow the
identification of novel vaccine targets for use in future translational studies. Our central hypothesis is that
similar mechanisms involving host cell-derived epithelial factors are required for Plasmodium sporozoite
invasion of both mosquito salivary glands and human hepatocytes. The rationale for this study is that
determination of novel factors involved in cellular invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites will allow the
identification of novel vaccine targets. We will test our hypothesis using rodent and human malaria models to
address two specific Aims. In Aim 1, we will define the role of specific human liver cell-derived factors during
invasion by Plasmodium. We will use gene knock-out in human liver cells and knock-out mouse models in
order to investigate the effects of specific genes on Plasmodium invasion. In Aim 2, we will determine the
extent to which specific proteins modified with attached sugar groups influence sporozoite invasion of the
mosquito salivary glands. Again, we will primarily use gene-knock out studies combined with parasite invasion
experiments to test for the involvement of several mosquito salivary gland genes during parasite invasion. The
outcomes of this study are expected to be identification of the role specific liver proteins play in the sporozoite
life cycle. The primary impact of our findings is anticipated to be identification of factors required for sporozoite
invasion of host cells, the life-stage that is the most logical target for the development of an effective and
affordable malaria vaccine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10261569
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103646-09
- **Recipient organization:** MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonas Glenn King
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $209,242
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-09-30 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10261569

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10261569, Comparative omics analyses of cellular invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites (5P20GM103646-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10261569. Licensed CC0.

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